Antirattle dovetail for doors



July 3l, 1934.

R. G. M ooRE ANTIRATTLE DOVETAIL FOR DOORS Filed April 20, 1933 INVENTOR. RH YMUND MUURg ATTORNEY.

Patented July 31, 1934 UNITEosTATEs PATENT OFFICE ANTIRTTLE DOVETAIL FOR DORS Raymond G. Moore, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to The Bassick Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application April 20, 1933, Serial No. 667,012

12 Claims. (Cl. 16-85) u The present invention relates to improvements in self -adjusting anti-rattle dovetails, particularly for automobiledoors, an object being to provide a'd'evice of this character of simple, economical,

and compact construction which will eifectually prevent the rattle usually resulting from the vibration and weaving of the doors, retaining the same against 'vertical movement, while at the same `time compensating for lateral movement and wear. Another object is to provide a dovetail device which will permit closing and opening of the door with comparatively little effort, will require little or no lubrication, and will befree from squeaks. A further object is to provide a dove# tail in which the contacting surfaces may be of very hard smooth material, as hardened steel, to the end that the device will be long-wearing and will not require lubrication of the contacting surfaces. Y

It is particularly proposed to provide a `device in which a socket member is provided with pivotally mounted resiliently supported dovetail members adapted to have a wedge member engaged between them, the respective dovetail members being supported against vertical movement. Another objectvis to provide a device in which the vertical pressure will be taken along a given line of the door pillar in any position of engagement of the door. Another object is to provide a device in which the dovetail members will be in the form of hollow shell-like blocks, and in which the spring means will be self-contained within the members, thus providing a structure which may be easily assembled and which at the same time is very compact.

Another object to provide a device in which the lateral movement of the dovetail members is relatively small while the elective engaging relation with the door carried member is. relatively lgreat corresponding to the full lateral closing movement in relation to the dovetail. A further object is to provide a device which while having a full effective movement will be relatively narrow, and may therefore be used upon narrow door pillars, requiring a substantially smaller recess in the pillar than has heretofore been the case.

Another' object is to provide a device which while holding the door against vertical vibrations will exert an outward force on the same in such manner that the latch of the door is held firmly against the striker plate, and upon release of the latch will press` the door open.

With the above and other objects in view, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully described' with reference thereto, and the invention Will be finally pointed out in the claims. l

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 isa perspective view, partially broken away, of a door and pillar post slightlyout of engagement, and provided with a dovetail device according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention'.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the dovetail.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation.

Fig.v 4 is a horizontal sectional View, taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the wedge member employed.

6 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the dovetail'with a portion 'of the cover plate and a portion of one of the block members broken away, the broken away portion of the cover plate being indicated by dotand-dash lines. l

Fig. 8 is a rearelevation, partially broken away.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the block members.

Fig. 10 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 11is a side elevation of the same.

'Fi'g.12 is a side elevation of the dovetail, and showing the engaging relation of the wedge member in the closed positionof the door, the Wedge member being shown in section.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the severalgures of the drawing. y

Referring to the drawing, the device, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention," comprises a socket member adapted to be secured to the pillar post 10 within a suitable cut-out recess, and a wedge member adapted to be secured to the edge of thedoor 11 inv relation to. enterthe socket member upon closing the door, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1. l

The casing of the socket member comprises an outer part consisting of a face plate 12 preferably formed of sheet metal, having a flange 13 at its forward edge bent at a slightly obtuseangle, anda lip 14 bent forwardly from the flange 13. A rearwardly converging opening 15 is provided in the face plate and extends across the ange 13 to the lip 14. Screw holes 16 are provided in the plate and flange for attaching to the door frame.

The inner or box part of the casing is preferably formed of sheet metal, and comprises a base portion 1'7 flush with the lip 14, a wall extending at right angles to the base portion having upper vcui otal axes of the blocks.

and lower curved portions 18-18 providing semicircular sockets for pivotally supporting the swinging block members, as will hereinafter more fully appear, rearwardly inclined rear wall portions 19--19 extending tangentially from the socket portions 18--18, and upper and lower attaching ear portions 20--20 extending at right angles to the wall and secured to thev under side of the face plate, as by spot welding, holes 21'-2`1 being provided in the ears to clear the countersunk screw holes 16.

Each of the block members 22-22 is in the form of a hollow shell, the sidewall of which coni-I prises a cylindrical bearing portion23 adapted to t in the respective socket portion 18 of the casing, a rear wall portion 24 extending tangentially from the portion 23, an arcuate wedge engaging portion 25, and an inwardly extending for# ward wall portion 26 disposed between the-for.-v

ward end of the arcuate portion 25 and the cylin-v drical portion. 231.- v

A post 27 having a flanged end 28 isv secured within the block, as by riveting at 29, in coaxial.

relation to the axis of rotation of the block, a coil spring 30 being mounted on the post and having one end. 31 bearing against the forward. inner surface of the block and the other end 3-2 bearing. against a lug 331 struck. up from the portion 17 of the casing. The spring thus exerts pressure on the" block member tonormally swing it outwardly, the outward. swing being limited by abutment of thev wall 24:l with. the lug 33. In order to facilitate assembly an opening. 3A is provided in the wall 24 which isslightly higher than the lug 33, and which permits the block to be slid into the casing simply by passing the opening 34. over the lug 33 and snapping the block into place in the socket 18, the spring end 31 which. lies against the wall 24 in the detached. relation of the' block' being' pressed by the lug into its compressed relation, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 7 and in which relation it exerts pressure on the block to retain it in relation with the socket portion 18.

The wedge member comprises an attaching base 35 having screw holes 36 and a rigid projecting wedge shaped projection 37 having fiat converging contact surfaces 353-38..

The arcs of the wedge engaging surfaces 25 of the blocks are eccentric to the pivotal axes of the blocks, and insuch relation. to theV angle of the wedge surfaces 38-38 that the lines of contact upon entering of the wedge, as shown in Fig. 2, are in substantially a vertical plane with the piv- As the wedge; enters and presses the blocks inwardly the lines of contact increase their distance apart in correspondence with the taper of the wedge member while as the same time remaining in substantially the Vertical plane of the pivotal axis, as indicated in Fig. 12.

The operation is as followsr` When the door is in open position the blocks are projected forwardly, as indicated in Figs.

g1 and 2. As the door is closed the wedge member engages between the blocks contacting therewith before the door is completely closed, and as indicated in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2. The complete closing of the door causes the blocks .to be swung inwardly against the pressure of the axes at all times rigidly supports the door against vertical movement, the inclination of the wedge surfaces being such that vertical pressure will not displace the blocks and cause vibration. 'Ihe swing of the tangential surfaces 24 of the block members in relation to the tangential casing surfaces 19 is relatively small in relation to the effective movement permitted the door in relation to the dovetail so that a very narrow casing may beI employed.y llhe relatively large extent of the cylindrical bearing surfaces 18 and 23y provides a widely distributed very substantial support against the vertical pressure applied against the block members, so that any unusual stresses will be adequately provided for without danger of breakage or distortion.

Thev door is provided with the usual latch, not shown, which engages behind a striker on the door pillar, and the present device is such that it permits the door to close sufliciently to allow the latchto operate, and thereupon exerts an outward pressure on the door to force the latch bolt tightly against the striker. Upon release of the latch the device exerts an opening pressure on the door.

Should the wedge member be. out of alignment with the socket, due tosagging of the door or inaccurate mounting of the wedge member, the independent movement of the respective blocks. will permit them to adjust themselves to the wedge surfaces and. perform their cooperative retaining function. g 1

While I have shown the socket member on the door pillar and the wedge member on the door it will be obvious that this arrangement may be reversed, if desired.

I have illustrated and described a preferred 1 and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be madetherein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

.Having thus described my invention what I1 claim. and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1.4 In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member and a wedge member adapted to be en gaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing, opposed pivotally vmounted elementsl within said. casing having. fixed pivotal axes and adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith,A resilient means disposed forwardly of the rear surfaces of said elements and acting between said elements and the l casing to oppose said swinging movement, and means adapted'to prevent vertical movement of the contact surfaces of said elements within said casing.

2. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket l member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing, opposed pivotally mounted elements within said casing having xed pivotal axes and adapted to be swung through engagement of the 1 wedge member therewith,l resilient means disposed forwardly of the rear surfaces of said elements and acting between said elements and the casing to oppose said swinging movement, there being a clear space between the rear surfaces of said elements and therear surfaces of said casing, and meansadapted to prevent vertical movement of the contact surfaces of said elements within said casing.

-3. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket 1 member,` and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a4 casing, opposed pivotally mounted elements within said casing having fixedpivotal axes and adapted to be swung through engagement of the 15o wedge member therewith, s aid elements each having-a pocket at one `side adjacent a vsurface of said casing, spring means disposed within said pockets and acting between said elements and the casing to oppose said' swinging movement, and.

means adapted to prevent -vertical movement of the contact surfaces of said elements within said casing.

4. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing, opposed pivotally mounted elements within said casing having xed pivotal axes and adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith, said elements each having a pocket at one side adjacent a surface of said casing, a coil spring within each of said pockets having its coil coaxial with the pivotal axis of the respective element and having a pair of spring ends, one of which contacts said casing and the other of which contacts a side of said pocket to oppose said swinging movement, and means adapted to prevent vertical movement of the contact surfaces of said elements within Isaid casing.

5. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing, opposed pivotally mounted ele- Vments within said casing having fixed pivotal axes and adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith, said elements each having a pocket at one side adjacent a surface of said casing, a post within each of .said pockets coaxial with the pivotal axis of the respective element, a coil spring within each of said pockets having its coil disposed about said respective post and having a pair of spring ends, one of which contacts said casing and the 4'other of which contacts a side of said pocket to oppose said swinging movement, and means adapted to prevent vertical movement of the contact surfaces of said elements within said casing.

6. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing, opposed pivotally mounted elements within said casing having fixed pivotal axes and adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith, said elements each having a pocket at one side adjacent a surface of said casing, said casing surface having a lug disposed within each of said pockets, spring means disposed within said pockets and acting between said elements and said lugs to oppose said swinging movement, and means adaptadapted to be swung through engagement of the Wedge member therewith, said elements each having a pocket at one side adjacent a surface of said casing, said casing surface having a lug disposed within each of said pockets, spring means disposed within said pockets and acting between said elements and said lugs to oppose said swinging movement, a side wall of each of said pockets having an opening through which said respective lugs pass into said pockets as said :1 elements are assembled into said casing, and

casing. -8. In an anti-rattle device for doors, asocket member, and a'wedge member adaptedtobe engaged therewith, said socket member compris-v ing a casing, opposed pivotally mounted elements within said casing having xed pivotal axes and adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith, said elements each comprising a hollow metal shell providing a pocket adjacent a surface of said casing, spring means disposed within said pockets and acting between said elements and the casing to oppose said swinging movement, and means adapted to prevent vertical movement of the contact surfaces of said elements within said casing.

9. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing having upper and lower concave Walls, each forming an arc of a circle, and a rear wall having upper and lower rearwardly inclined portions extending in tangential relation to said respective upper and lower walls, opposed pivotally mounted elements vsrithin said casing having bearing portions rotatably engaging said end walls and rearward portions in tangential relation to said bearing portions and adapted to abut said respective upper and lower rear wall portions of said casing, the pivotal axes of said elements being xed and said elements adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith, resilient means opposed to said swinging movement, and means adapted to prevent vertical movement of the contact surfaces of said elements within said casing.

10. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a tapered wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing, opposed pivotally mounted elements within said casing adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith, resilient means disposed forwardly of the rear surfaces of said elements and acting between said elements and the casing to oppose said swinging movement, the contact surfaces of said elements being non-yielding in a direction perpendicular to the direction of relative engaging movement of said members and presenting a wedge receiving recess between them and adapted as said wedge member is moved inwardly to widen at a given point vertically in substantial correspondence to the increasing width of the wedge member.

11. In an anti-rattledevice for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing having perpendicularly aligned bearing portions at its upper and lower ends, opposed pivotally mounted elements within said casing having pivotal movement in relation to said bearing portions and adapted to be swung through engagement of the wedge member therewith, spring means acting between said elements and the casing to oppose said swinging movement and also acting to retain said elements in relation with said bearing portions, said elements adapted to be removed from said casing by overcoming the retaining pressure of said spring means.

12. In an anti-rattle device for doors, a socket member, and a wedge member adapted to be engaged therewith, said socket member comprising a casing having perpendicularly aligned bearing portions at its upper and lower ends, opposed means Vadaptedl to prevent vertical movement o1" the contact surfaces of said elements within said pivotally--mounted elements within said casing havngpivotal movement in relation to said bearing portions and adapted to be swung through engagement of vthe `Wedge member therewith,

spring means carried by said elements acting betweensaid elements and the casing -to oppose fait:

saidgswinging movement and also acting to re-v 

